NFR Photos: It’s all about teamwork

Team roping was the closest competition coming into the National Finals Rodeo with just a few thousand dollars in prize money separating the top headers and heelers.

By JASON BEAN and JOHN LOCHER LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

December 7, 2013 - 12:31 am

Travis Graves, left, and Kaleb Driggers compete in the team roping event on the first night of the National Finals Rodeo on Thursday at the Thomas & Mack Center. The two are going their separate ways after the NFR, but will pick up new partners next year. Driggers will team with Patrick Smith, and Graves will partner with Smith’s teammate, Trevor Brazile. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Trevor Brazile, right, and Patrick Smith compete in the team roping event on the first night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Riley Minor, right, and Brady Minor celebrate after making the fasted time in the team roping event on the first night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Heeler Cesar de la Cruz pulls back on his rope while cometing in the team roping event on the first night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Heeler Brady Minor takes aim during day 1 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2013. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Team roping was the closest competition coming into the National Finals Rodeo with just a few thousand dollars in prize money separating the top headers and heelers.

In team roping, a header must charge out of the box on horseback and avoid breaking the barrier. He then must chase down a steer and rope it around its protected horns, neck or “half-head,” a partial horn-neck catch.

After making his catch, the header rides to the left, taking the steer in tow. The heeler moves in and ropes both hind legs. Catching only one hind leg is a five-second penalty. If the heeler tosses his loop before the header has changed the direction of the steer and has the animal moving forward, it’s called a “crossfire” and results in disqualification.

The run is completed when the steer is secured and the team ropers’ horses are facing each other on opposite sides of the steer.